Weighing device



Jan; 14, 1941.

P. V. ELLIOTT WEIGHING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATT Jan. 14, 1941. P. V, ELLIOTT l 2,228,511

WEIGHING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /3 v P 'l l o /4 62 P Pff;

INVENTOR Penn 1./ E'//Ol BY ATTO Y Patented Jan. 14, 1941 PATENT OFFICE W EIGHIN G DEVICE Pearl V. Elliott,

Application March 2,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to weighing or measuringdevicesembodying certain improvements and advantages hereinafter specified. Although the device of the present invention will be hereinafter treated as a weighing device vfor purposes Vof explanation and simplicity of disclosure, it is 1to `be understood -that the apparatus is applicable to situations wherein` the measurement -of pressures and `forces other than-dead weight, are vto bedeterminedand indicated. For exampleythedevice may beadapted to the measuringr Vand indicatingof lfluid pressures, either gas ror liquids, just as any ordinary weighingscale could readily be adapted for the same purposes.

An object of -the invention is to provide a device of the character stated, which will greatly speed Aand lfacilitate an. accurate determination of net Weightin all'instances in which `actual tare and gross weights must be taken into account.

YAnother object of the invention is to accomplishtthe 'abovefadvantages-with the use ofmechvanismprovidingffordirect readings, therebyfeliminatin'g the need forcalculations which ordinarily'inje'ct a factor of possible errorin the `Weighing or measuring'operation. k

lA further object of the inventionfis to eliminate thegraduated scale beams and shiftable poises which characterize -the ordinary weighing scale, thereby reducing to aminimum the ytime and effort required 'for the performanceand comple- 'tion `of successive lweighing operations.

The 'foregoingand other lobjects are attained by themean's described vrherein and disclosed in, the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l isi-an elevational View of a simple embodiment lof the invention in a weighing scale, usingan'indic'atingcounterpoise of the pendulum type.

Fig. 2'is aneievationalview of a weighing device embodying theinvention, in a modied'form.

Fig. 3 is a'vew similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification thereof.

Fig. 4 isanelevational view of aspring loperated indicatingcounterpoise, lwhich may be employed in place'of the pendulum typeof device,

in all forms of the invention.

VFig. 5'is 'an elevational view of a Weighing deviceembodying the invention, and distinguishing from 'the preceding views in the arrangement of the indicating counterpoises one above the other.

Fig. 6 isan elevational viewof amodiiication of thecombination shown in Fig. 5.

`Fig. y'l is an elevational View of a modiiication` in Whic'hthe indicating counterpoises are in ver- Cincinnati, Ohio 1939, Serial No. 259,411

tical alignment, and Workin opposition directly from thebalance beam.

In the art of weighing scales it has been common practice to provide in combination with a weighing platform, oneor more scale beams suitably calibrated or graduated andadapted to support one or more sliding weights orpoises movable by hand along the beams.r In the case of wide range high capacity scales, it is not uncommon to find very heavy'poises in use. The use of large and heavy shiftable kpoises has various known disadvantages, chief of which are their liability to damage and wear the beam notches, and their fatiguing effect upon 'a-busy Weigher, with a resultant loss of time and quality of service rendered by the weigher. Various other disadvantages inherent in such scales are well known to persons conversant with the art, but need not be detailed herein.

In the effort to obviate some of the disadvantages of the slidingl poise type scale, certain improvements khave been proposed involving the use of pendulum-operated direct-reading counterpoise units of-the general character disclosed conventionally vat l2 of Fig. A1. A Well rknown unit of this type is the weightograph, which Vhasbeen rather extensively used since its introduction to the art about twenty years ago. KHowever, while the weightograph and similar devices obyiated ycertain of the disadvantages of thefshiftable poise, theyinjectedintothe weighing operation the necessity for vcalculations under-certain circumstances. Calculations, whether mental or written, usually slowed the weighing operation and often resulted in-errors. This was especially true yunder circumstances requiring a determination of actual tare and Anet weights, for example, in the'case of Weighing a container or ycarrier when empty and Weighing it when loaded, then determining thenet Weight. The procedure in suchcases required an expenditure of time inexcess .of that required with the use of thepresent invention, and the factor of pos- -siblehuman error -wasgreater than was deemed satisfactory. Both the time factor and the human error'factorhave been reduced to a practicalminimum'by means of the invention about to be described.

With reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, each of the characters l2 and |20 indicates'a pendulum type of counterpoise for a scale or weighing device including va beam I3 fulcrumed at I4. The short end of the beam is connected with a scale platform l5, and it isimmaterial whether the .platform impose its weight upon the beam end from above or below. In the embodiment illustrated, the platform is pendant from a hanger element I5. In the Fig. l disclosure, as well as in all others, the beam I3 need not be graduated or marked in any manner whatsoever, since it is preferred to eliminate the sliding poise that customarily accompanies a marked beam.

Each of the devices I2 and |20 may comprise, in the main, a pendulum I'I of proper weight and accurately determined arcuate swing, hung from a pivotal point I8. A calibrated scale part or dial I9 may be attached to, or otherwise assoeiated with the pendulum, in such a manner as to be movable directly or proportionately with the pendulum. A portion of the dial preferably is visible through a window such as 20 formed in the housing of the device, and as the pendulum is moved about its pivot I8 the dial sweeps past a stationary pointer 2| to indicate amounts of weight marked on the dial I9. The pendulum may be swung incident to the vertical movement of an actuator 22, which carries a .flexible ribbon or the like 23 having one of its ends secured to and passing about a drum 24 that rotates or rocks with the pendulum at its pivot suspension point I3. The ribbon or other flexible element 23 may be anchored to the drum or pulley 24 at any point such as 25.

In the commercial form of the device I2 or |20, the dial structure is made more elaborate than as above explained, in order to magnify and illuminate the readings of the dial at the window, but such refinements of the commercial instrument are of no importance to the present invention, and may therefore be ignored. In fact, it is immaterial to the invention whether the device I2 or |20 be operated by means of a pendulum or otherwise, as by a spring or other power storing or generating expedient, so long as such device will indicate weights applied to the scale platform I5. Accordingly, there is shown in Figs. 4 and 7 the use of a direct-reading counterpoise unit which is spring operated, and as Will be hereinafter explained, that type of unit may be substituted for the pendulum type of unit in the various modified forms of the invention. It should be understood, accordingly, that any type of counterpoise unit that will operate to afford the results to be hereinafter specified, is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In the iirst form of the invention, as illustrated by Fig. l, the long end of the beam I3 is pivoted at 26 to the actuator 220 of the unit |20, whereupon it should be evident that a weight placed upon the platform I5 will elevate the actuator 220 for rotating the pendulum and its dial I9 in a clockwise direction of rotation. The movement of said pendulum and dial will be transmitted to the pendulum and dial of unit I2, through the linkage constituted by the levers 2T and 28 and connecting bar 29-30. As disclosed herein, the lever 21 is pivoted upon a stationary pivot 3|, which is fixed relative to the panel or support 32, whereas the lever 28 is fulcrumed at the point 33, which is adjustable vertically. The various points 34 are pivots movable with the linkage.

As will be understood by referring to the illustration of Fig. l, the weight placed upon the platform I5 while both indicators of the units I2 and |20 are synchronized, will show a weight reading upon each indicator representing half of the actual weight placed upon the platform. The purpose of the movable or adjustable fulcrum 33 is to enable, under such circumstances, a setting or adjustment of the unit I2 back to a zero or neutral setting, or in fact to any other setting that may be desired. If by lowering the fulcrum 33, the unit I2 be adjusted to the neutral or zero setting while the weight is in position upon the platform I5, the unit |20 will indicate the full load carried by the platform. The same result is obtainable by means of an adjustment for varying the length of the connecting bar 29-30, assuming fixation of the fulcrum points 3| and 33. By way of example, the effective length of said bar might be varied by means of a hand wheel or the like 35 operative upon right and left hand screws 36 and 31 engaging the stationary nuts 38 and 30 carried by the rod parts 29 and 30. The present invention is not concerned with the specific character of means employed for adjusting the linkages, wherefore it should .be distinctly understood that the means operated through the agency of the hand wheels 35 and 40 are but exemplary of a large variety of known adjusting means for the accomplishment of the purpose stated. The adjustments 35 and 40 may be used alternatively, that is, either one or the other might readily be omitted from the combination. Moreover, the combination would be operative if the pivot 3| of lever 21 were made the adjustable pivot or fulcrum, and the variation of effective length referred to in connection with the connecting bar 20-38 could be just as well applied to either of the actuators 22 or 220. To state the purpose broadly, the invention contemplates the lntervention of means of any type whereby the load on the far end of the scale beam may be divided, apportioned, or transposed with respect to the eounterpoise units I2 and |20.

With the above understanding, it should be evident that the platform I5 might be adapted to support a vehicle or other carrier. By way of example, let it be assumed that an unloaded vehicle is driven onto the platform I5; then by adjusting either one of the hand wheels 35 or 40, it would be possible to set the scale of unit I2 to the cero or neutral position, thereby causing the unit |20 to indicate the full weight of the unloaded vehicle. Assuming that the weight of the unloaded vehicle were indicated upon the unit |20 as 2000s-t, a notation of that fact could be made, and when the same vehicle returned to the scale platform in a loaded condition, the operator would be required only to adjust one of the hand wheels, to effect an indication of the 200074 tare upon one of the counterpoise units. The other unit thereupon would accurately indicate the net weight of the vehicle contents. Obviously, the weighing operation would be accomplished quickly and without any computation whatever, and the net weight would be readable directly from the scale of the counterpoise unit without the possibility of error. Thus, an accurate account of the net weight is determinable irrespective of the intelligence or lack of intelligence of the operator of the weighing machine.

Fig. 2 discloses a modification of the Fig. l combination, which includes the same elements I3, I4, I5, I2 and |20, but in the Fig. 2 form of the invention, the actuator 220 of unit 20 extends from the extreme end of the scale beam I3, whereas the actuator 22 of unit I2 is located intermediate the extreme end 4| and the fulcrum I4. The linkage in this instance may be an upright connecting bar 42 pivoted at 43 intermeyavoid disturbances diate the `rends -`of the beam, said fba'rfhaving la lower pivot 44 upon a secondarylbeam-ISintermediate thevends-46 and 41 thereof. Atthe pivot 41, a slidablefblock 48 may'befurnished forelevating and lowering the Ylevelof `pivot 41 `and beam 45, vto adjust the positionfof the actuator 22 relative to that of the actuator 220. `While it is immaterial what type of means semployed for shifting the pivot 41, the conventional rotatable' screw arrangement 49 is shown. In theFigLZ combinationthe positions of the various-pivots, and their locations upon the elements 42 and45, are critical and dependent upon the `similarity and dissimilarity of the counterpoise units |.2 and |20. The proper moment 'of the secondary beam 45 and the ratio of leverages can readily be ascertained by persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Fig. 3 discloses a modiiication of `theFig. 2 combination, wherein the counterpoise'units are placed in side-by-side relationship, without resorting to the use of a connecting barsuchas L42 of'Fig. 2 suspended from an intermediate point of 'beam I3. In accordance with Fig. 3, a pair of rocking levers 50 and 5I is employed,.said levers being fulcrumed at 52 and 53 respectively. The adjacent ends of the levers are connected 'by a pivotal link 54 capable of transmitting the movement of lever 5I to the lever 50. The outer end of lever 5I may be pivoted as at 55 to the ,actuator 220, whereby movement of thefar end 58 of beam I3 maybe transmitted to the actuator 22 of the counterpoise unit I2. If theunits I2 and |20 are of like character, the levers 50 and 5I preferably are made identical as to length and moment, so that the pull of the beam may rract equally upon both counterpoise units when the units are synchronized. The character 51 indicates conventionally any form of means for throwing the counterpoise units out of synchronism as explained in connection Awith the Fig. 1 disclosure. The adjusting means 51, or any equivalent thereof, could just as well be interposed between the ends of link 54, or upon'the actuator 220 below the pivot 55. Alternatively, a shiftable'pivot such as 41 of Fig. 2.could be applied in place of either of the stationary pivots 52 or 53. Reverting back to Fig. 2,.it should be understood that an adjusting means of the general character disclosed at 51 of Fig. 3 could be substituted for the shiftabie pivot 41, by interposing such an adjusting means in the elements 22, 42, or 220. Wherever possible, however, it is preferable to apply the adjustment to a fulcrum or normally stationary pvot, in order 'to in the movement of the beam I3.

Fig. 4 discloses a type of counterpoise unit wherein an indicator hand 58 sweeps a'stationary dial 50 as the actuator 22| is moved vertically under the inuence of a scale beam. This may be a spring operated counterpoise unit, or it may be operated by a pendulum in the manner of the unit I2. In either case, the counterpoise lunit of Fig. 4 may include a manually operable neutralizing means in theform of a shaft B0 to be rotated or rocked for loosening or tightening the coupling between the indicator hand and the spring or pendulum power relement of 'the unit, so that it would be possible to apply the counterpoise unit of Fig. 4 to the various combinations without resorting to the use of fulcrumfadjusters 0r shifters of the general character disclosed at 35, 40, or 49 of Figs. l and 2. Thegeneral character of the Fig. 4 type of counterpoise unit is exvemplified in `l variouslkinds .of .sca1esy such .as :bath lroom A"scales `which Ainclude an fadjustment'ifor the scale-beama't 8|, and ati-a point remote from said pivot, a `lever '62 is pivoted iat ,'63 upon the actuator Y22 or upon any part .fmovable therewith. A complementary .lever B4 vmay `be located beneath the unit 5|2, or intermediatetheunits I2 and |20, to connect withthe actuator 22'by1means Vofa Vpivot S165. The remote ends fof levers I52and y84 yare mounted upon :the ,normally .stationary ,pivots y|56 iand 51, r'and lthe lopposite ends "of a connecting bar its lmay be ,pivoted to the 'levers 621and 64 for connecting them and transmitting movement from one tothe other. Although an adjusting means `49is `shownassociated with the normally stationary pivot `IiIi, such adjusting .meansimightfbe locatedfalternatively at thezpivot 161. 'Iheco-actionof` the partsin the Fig. 5 combination'issubstantially the same as that of Fig.

1, it being possible rto synchronize and desynchronize the units I2 and |20 for accomplishing the results attained in the explanation of the lFig..1 disclosure. In the Fig. 5 combination, as well :as in the .preceding disclosures, the necessary' adj ustmentsk would :be operable by Asubstituting 'for the Vadjusting `means 49 .the adjusting `means .35 or `5.'I. `Adjusting means yof the type disclosed at 35;an'd 51 of Figs. 1 and 3, would l properly 4beiinterposed at anyofthe locations 22,

In accordance with the Fig. `6 disclosure, the actuator 22 may carry-an yopenframe 69,'orany other type 'of "movement transposing element `capable of connecting with the actuator 220 of the counterpoise unit I 20. In the embodiment illustrated, .the transfer element 69'is in the form `ofa frame .havinga pivotal connection 10 upon the :actuator 22, the lower extremity of fthe frame Abeing connected with the actuator 220 through the medium of ia screw threaded arrangement 1| rendered adjustable by means of 'ah'and wheel or the like 12. The Lmeans 1I--12 Iis operative zfor neutralizing one of the counterpoise'units with respect tothe other, or for 'otherwise varying their readings, for purposes explained in connection with Fig. k1. If ythe connection between `the frame '69 and the actuator 220 is made nonadjustable, as it `might be, the same results may be obtained by bodily elevating and loweringone'of the counterpoise units relatively to'the other. In-Fig. 6 the counterpoise unit I20`is shown as a bodily shi'ftable unit. The unit may be bodily shifted by employing any suitable means forthe purpose, .an example of which is'shown comprising a'toggle arrangement constitutedof apair of crossed arms 13 and 14 having their upper ends pivoted at l15 to the base ofthe unit. The'lower end of toggle element 14 may-be pivoted as at 16 toa panel or other stationary vsupport 11, While the lower pivot I8 of toggle member 13 is rendered shiftable in any 'suitable manner. To shift the pivot 18, a sliding fblock 19 may4 be provided, operating in a guide frame vIl0by means of an `actuator 8| a-ppliedto a screw 82. `Th`e`adjustment1means 82 may belused vinthe labsence of any adjustableif connection between the frame 69 and the actuator 220, or conversely, an adjustment such as Il-12 might be employed in the absence of means for bodily elevating and lowering one of the counterpoise units l2 or |20.

With reference now to Fig. '7, the characters 83 and 84 indicate a pair of counterpoise units having self-contained synchronizing and desynchronizing elements operable by means of manual adjusters and 86. The units 83 and 84 may be either spring operated or pendulum operated, and each may include an indicator hand 81 adapted to sweep a calibrated dial 88. It should be noted that the actuator 183 for the unit 83 will advance the indicator hand 8T over the dial upon each upward push of the end 89 of the scale beam I3, whereas the actuator |84 of unit 84 will require a pull in an upward direction, to advance the indicator hand. To this extent, therefore, the counterpoise units 83 and 84 may be different. With the arrangement disclosed however, the adjusting means 85 or 86 may be manipulated to transfer to one counterpoise unit or the other, all or any part of the force exerted by the end 89 of the beam when a weight is applied to the platform l5. It should accordingly be understood that the combination of Fig. '7 may be operated in substantially the manner explained in connection with Fig. 1, the principle of the combination of elements being the same in both cases.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the various disclosures of modified forms of the invention are capable of a great number of variations, so that it would not be feasible to disclose every possible variation conceivable; however, there is to be recognized in all of the disclosures a common principle of operation resulting from kindred coordination of parts, which may be specified as follows.

Each of the various combinations includes, in association with a plurality of direct-reading counterpoise units, a means of transposing all or part of the force of the scale beam selectively to one or the other of the counter-poise units. The action of the selective adjustment is, in effect, that of making one counterpoise unit indicate accurately the position of the pendulum or the dial reading of the other counterpoise unit when the beam is loaded. It may be considered that the adjustment varies the elevation or bias of one counterpoise unit actuator relative to the actuator of the other unit, and this relationship would be in evidence regardless of the number of counterpoise units employed in the system.

While in each illustration the system includes but two counterpoise units installed at an operators station, it should readily be evident that additional counterpoise units might be installed in the combination should it be considered desirable to apportion the load readings .amongst an increased number of such units. Such a construction would not ordinarily be required, however, except in cases of intricate weighing problems which are not ordinarily encountered.

As previously stated herein, the particular type of direct-reading counterpoise units employed in the various combinations, is of small importance to the present invention, and it should accordingly be understood that different types of such units could be employed in the same system, or if desired, one unit could be of a different capacity or sensitivity than the other, in which case the units would be coordinated or synchronized by means of compound or multiplying leverages incorporated into the system. It is to be understood, thereforel that the foregoing and various other modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the `class described, the combination with a beam to be moved upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of means including a plurality of direct-reading counterpoise units arranged one above the other and acted upon simultaneously by the beam to collectively indicate amounts of applied force on the beam, said means comprising an adjustment selectively operative to change the elevation of one counterpoise unit bodily relative to the other for securing separate direct readings of comparative forces applied to the beam.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a substantially horizontal beam to be moved upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of a plurality of normally stationary direct-reading counterpoise units arranged one above another, each of said units including an actuator and an indicator, means for transmitting to the actuator of one counterpoise unit the movements of the beam resulting from the application of forces to be measured, a connector for transmitting the movements of the rst counterpoise unit actuator to the actuator of the other counterpoise unit, and means for selectively lengthening and shortening said connector.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a beam to be moved upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of a plurality of normally stationary direct-reading counterpoise units arranged in proximity one above another, each of said units including an actuator and an indicator, means for transmitting to the actuator of one lcounterpoise unit the movements of the beam resulting from the application of forces to be measured, a connecting means adapted to transpose a portion of the beam movement force to the actuator of another of the counterpoise units whereby to relieve said one counterpoise unit of a portion of said force, said connecting means including a selectively adjustable element to vary the length of said connesting means.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a beam and means for moving the beam upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of a plurality of direct-reading counterpoise units each including an actuator and an indicator, means connecting the actuator of one counterpoise unit to the beam for registering beam movements upon the indicator of said one counterpoise unit, a beam movement translating means for imposing beam movements upon the actuator of a second counterpoise unit, said translating -means including a rigid connecting link variable as to length for apportioning the extent of beam movement selectively to the actuators of the counterpoise units, Athereby to bias the counterpoise unit indicators relatively, for the purposes described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a beam and means for moving the beam upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of a plurality of direct-reading counterpoise units each including an actuator and an indicator, means connecting the actuator of one counterpoise unit to the beam for registering beam movements upon the indicator of said one counterpoise unit, a beam movement translating means for imposing beam movements upon the actuator of a second counterpoise unit, said translating means including a system of pivoted levers arranged to apportion beam movements and their accompanying forces between the alctuators of the counterpoise units, and means for varying the apportionment of movements and forces, including a device for varying the elevation .of a lever pivot.

6. "In a device of the cla'ss described, the combination with a fulcrum and a substantially horizontal beam adapted for movement about the fu-lfcrum upon application of a force to the beam, of a stationary support, and a plurality of directreading counterp'oise units fixed relative to tlhe support, each including an upright actuator and an indicator, means for transmitting to the actuator of one counterpoise unit the movements of the beam resulting from the application thereto of forces to be measured, and a, .beam movement translating means operative upon the other counterpoise unit, including a pivot selectively shftable relative `to the support in a drectlion for changing the elevation of said pivot, and a lever mount-ed for rocking movement upon the pivot, said lever including means for moving it with the beam and with the actuator of said other countenpoise unit.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a beam to be moved upon application thereto of a force to be measured, of .a plurality of direct-reading counterpoise units arranged in proximity to one another, each of said units including an actuator and an indicator, means for transmitting to the actuator of one counterpofrse unit the movements of the beam resul-ting from the application of forces to be measured, a connecting means adapted to transpose a portion of the beam movement force to the actuator of another of the counterpoi'se units whereby :to relieve said one counterpoise unit of a portion of said force, said connecting means including a selectively adjustable rigid element to v-ary the length of said connecting means.

PEARL V. ELLIOTT.

CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTIQN. Patent No. 2,228,511. January 1LT, 19in.

I PEARL V. ELLIOTT.

It i's hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the grant line l5 for ".Pearl V. Elliott, her heirs" read --Pearl V. Elliott, his heirs; and tht the seid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the' same may oonform to the record of the case` in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this hth day of' March, A. D. 1914.1.

, Henry Van Arsdele, (Seal) `AActing Commissioner of Patents.

d p i i CERTIFICATE CF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,228,511. I January 1h, lQMl.

' PEARL v. ELLIOTT.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the grant, line l5 for ".Pearl V. Elliott, her heirs" read --Pearl V. Elliott, his heirs; ad'iatthe said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this Correction therein that the same may con\ form to the record of the case in the PatentOffiCe.v

Signed and sealed this Lth dayof March, A. D. l9hl.

v s -Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) vActing Commissioner of Patehts; 

